The French striker is widely reported to have been offered at least £80,000 a week from QPR, almost double what Newcastle United were willing to pay.

On his official unveiling after his transfer from Marseille, though, Remy claimed that it was his relationship with Harry Redknapp, the persuasiveness of chairman Tony Fernandes and the potential of the QPR "project" that secured the deal. The forward did acknowledge, however, that many people were surprised at his decision.

"The finance doesn't come into it at all," Remy said. "It was not a decision about money. As I said before, it's an interesting challenge. Newcastle offered me a very good contract. A lot of people are shocked that I chose QPR. But it's no way a decision based on financial reasons. I could have stayed at Marseille, I had a good contract there. There are a number of reasons why I had to leave Marseille.

"It's true I hesitated between Newcastle and QPR. I went to meet the staff at Newcastle and there came a time when I had to make the decision. I made my decision based on two factors. I already know the coach here and I'm really excited by the project that QPR have here for the future. It's true it's a big challenge and the team is in a tough situation but, since he has been here, the team has changed a great deal.

"I was very surprised by Tony Fernandes, I must say. The chairman came to meet me in Marseille and he's a very down-to-earth man. It's true that he's ambitious, but he's also very humble. He actually came to my house which is something that's never happened before. I saw a straightforward human being. Yes, he's the chairman, but he's a human being.

"I think Harry is someone who can help me improve as a footballer in lots of different areas, both from a tactical and technical perspective. We've spoken on a number of different areas and I've been lucky enough to have coaches who have helped me progress in my football, and I think Harry can be one of these."

Despite indications that Remy has a relegation release-clause in his contract, the forward was unwilling to discuss the details. He did admit, however, that, in the event of QPR going down, his agent will sit down with the club again.

"For now I'm here and I don't really want to think about relegation because I don't think we'll be in that situation," he added.

"These are all issues that are away from the pitch. If and when that time comes my agent and QPR will sit down and talk about. I don't want to talk about the terms of my contract, I just want to get up and running. Now it's a time to show what I can do, to show my detractors what I can do, that Loic Remy is a good footballer."